In an era when many school districts face the challenges of doing more with less, parent organizations appear to be even more crucial than ever.

Parent Teacher Organizations in Mason schools collected $107,400.38 during fiscal year 2012 for a variety of items, including SMART Boards, iPads and tech carts.

The district’s PTOs are “incredible partners” for Mason schools, said Tracey Carson, the district’s spokeswoman.

“Their financial support has allowed us to purchase technology for our classrooms, which makes learning experiences more creative and engaging, as well as leveled readers and playground equipment,” Carson said.

The largest amount raised by any PTO at the district’s five schools was Mason Intermediate, which raised $61,245.06. Those funds purchased SMART Boards, field day equipment and other new equipment, including iPad carts.

Each cart includes 30 iPads for teachers to use in the classroom. Teachers at the school can reserve an iPad cart for a block of time and use it for interventions, classroom instruction, online assessments, virtual field trips or other options.

Jennifer Moore, a fourth-grade teacher at Mason Intermediate, said she has integrated those iPads in many ways, including using them to enhance reading strategies and reviewing or previewing classroom material.

“It’s been incredibly beneficial to our students because they’re that much more engaged,” Moore said. “It’s amazing how interactive it can be. It can reach every learner.”

PTOs, in general, are essential to school districts, according to J.F. Burns Principal Cheryl Montag.

“The connection between home and school is so very important and our community’s support is really a keystone to what our district is about,” Montag said. “The support that we receive from our parents and the community has made all of our schools the way that they are. Each of our buildings are just incredibly fortunate to have that support.”

In the Kings School District, PTOs collected $31,478 to provide allotments for everything from reimbursing teachers who buy supplies, providing meals at parent teacher conferences and paying for other item, according to Treasurer Mike Mowery.

J.F. Burns and Columbia elementary schools, which contributed $11,000 and $12,692 respectively in fiscal year 2012, contributed significantly to new playgrounds at those two buildings last year, Mowery said.

“Our playground had been used for quite a bit throughout the past 20 years, so it was time for a new, more interactive one to be installed,” Montag said. “”We had been replacing pieces of the equipment and felt that it was time to do a complete overhaul.”

The PTO dedicated its entire fundraising amount to pay for the playground, which is available year-round by the community.

“It gets a lot of use,” Montag said.

Little Miami schools’ six PTOs have helped fund COSI visits, author visits, school dances and much more, according to Melinda Briggs, spokeswoman for Little Miami schools.

“Our parent organizations have been the shelter from Little Miami’s financial storm in recent years,” said Melinda Briggs, spokeswoman for Little Miami schools. “When the district has had to say ‘no’ on many occasions because of our financial difficulties, our PTOs have been able to say ‘yes.’ They have been key in providing an enriching school experience.”

Briggs said PTOs have made “some sizable donations” in recent years, including Little Miami Intermediate School PTO helping to make a new computer lab a reality, and contributing $8,000 to establish a playground at the school, something that the district was not able to do due to lack of funds.

Laura Loftin of the intermediate school’s PTO said she’s been involved with Little Miami PTO’s since her oldest son started kindergarten seven years ago.

Fundraisers include entertainment book sales, catalog sales and year round programs like Popcorn Friday, holiday grams, Market Day, Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Labels.

“It’s important for me to be involved in these programs because my kids are only little once,” Loftin said. “It’s a great feeling to know that we can help with improvements in the school that will not only help out our own kids but students for years to come.”